Failure to Post

Hi. As you can see, I haven't posted much recently. I have been continuing the project but have neglected to post. You'll start seeing a bunch of backdated posts. You'll be able to tell which posts are backdated by seeing those that were posted at 11:59 PM. I want to keep the events in a day by day ordering of when they happened, rather than do a bulk post when I've accrued to many old ones. So, this blog will be populated more often. Keep checking in.

Dentist!

I hadn't been to the dentist in awhile, which is mainly due to lack of insurance/pure laziness/no dire need to go. However, I feel my wisdom teeth encroaching on the rest of my mouth. I'm used to having almost perfect teeth and teeth that don't hurt so I scheduled myself for a dentist appointment not far from my work.

I count this one as my dentist introducing himself to me. He did a great job and for the first time in my life I had to get a slight filling. Also, he noted that I grind my teeth and recommended me to an oral surgeon for wisdom teeth removal. So, maybe there was a dire need to go. Of course, I probably won't call the oral surgeon for another year.

I also found it fun that he wore a yamaka. It's fun living in LA where culture is right there in front of you, staring you in the face or mouth.

Chris at Work

I don't normally talk to people at my job. It's been months since I started so I might just feel like it's too little too late to start introducing myself to people around the office. I talk to my boss and a few other people I met when I first came here but there are a ton of people who I really don't know anything about, including their names. Being attached to a computer all day might have something to do with it. Never knowing when I might leave the job also might have something to do with it (for now, not any time soon - stop worrying, Dad).

I was on the elevator with a guy from my floor who I see all the time. I can't remember if small talk was exchanged beforehand but eventually I went for the "By the way, I'm CeCe" line. He was friendly and told me his name - Chris. Therefore, it wasn't completely weird... at least in my head.

Chipotle

I went to writing group over at the Farmer's Market. Madeline and I went to Chipotle afterwards. I introduced myself to the girl/woman/lass/female making Madeline's nachos. She did not respond. Per usual.

Yogurtland

I played a rousing game of Cranium with friend Maddy, my visiting friend Miles, and Maddy's roommate Adam at Maddy and Adam's place. After the game Miles, Adam, and I went to Yogurtland, where self-serve frozen yogurt and toppings rule the day. Granted, I am more of an ice cream person but this place was fun.

I muttered an introduction to the cashier. Again, bllaaaaaahhhhh. No response.

Failure on the 12th

Fail. I will make it up at a later date.

Gas Station on the Corner

I went to the gas station on the corner. I introduced myself to the guy behind the counter. He did not respond. I need to speak up a bit more I think. I may be mumbling or talking too fast. Also, cashiers generally look at you like you're nuts when you just suddenly introduce yourself to them.

Rancho Palos Verdes

Madeline and I went to Rancho Palos Verdes. We stopped by the Point Vicente Interpretive Center, where people interpret the strange yet wonderful language of whales. Or they watch whales.

We did not manage to see a whale but we did go inside the center, which is dedicated to the history of the area, the life of the whale, and the sale of goods involved with either of those previous ideas. They have a display of a whale with little doors to show you what the inside of it would look like. That's where we met Miles and Colin. They were throwing open the doors with abandon while their mother watched over them. We introduced ourselves and had fun being led on a tour by the eldest. Their father finally saw that his kids were being tailed by two women of childbearing age and probably thought, "These baby-crazy women are going to steal my children." So, we introduced ourselves to him as well and left.

The rest of the day was great, by the way. We went to Abalone Cove and waded through the tidepools. The tide was the lowest it has ever been when I've gone there so we saw so much stuff. In the past, I'd consider myself lucky to have seen a starfish. There were starfish everywhere. Plus, we found a cave. Then we left and found a sushi place and some Pinkberry. Yummy. Nothing like eating fish after staring at fish all day.

Errol the Waiter from Ugo

I went out with my friend, Madeline, to grab dinner and see Happy-Go-Lucky. After the movie, which was quite good except for the awkward part with the homeless man, we went to Ugo. There, I tried to introduce myself to our waitress. I clearly did not say my name loud enough and she kept asking me what I said. I got nervous until, with Madeline's prodding, I introduced myself again. The waitress said that she was about to leave and was going to be replaced. I counted that introduction as it resulted in embarrassment.

I still needed one from the other day when I failed so I tried our new waiter. I don't know if he heard me either but we counted that one as well since I did clearly say it. As he attended to us, bringing us Caprese salad, bread, coffee for Madeline and tea for me, we tried to discern his accent. I thought that it must be Italian as we were in an Italian restaurant. Madeline insisted he had a Southern accent.

At the end of the night, Madeline flagged him down and asked him where he originated. Embarrassment upon embarrassments for the evening came about as he announced that he was from Louisiana, my home state. However, he did also say he was a dialect coach so who knows. Still, I need to work on my ear.

The bill noted that his name was Errol. Like Errol Flynn. Awesome.

Rite Aid Cashier

I've started realizing that a big part of this project is not coming off as crazy. It is much easier to introduce yourself after a longer conversation. However, it is difficult in everyday activities to have a longer conversation with at total stranger. If you're not traveling or meeting friends of friends or stuck in an elevator, actually introducing yourself to strangers appears to be weird.

I went into the Rite Aid today to purchase some toiletries. I'm behind on my count, even though I technically introduced myself to two people on my day of traveling, so I was hoping to find two people. When it was my turn in line, I introduced myself to the cashier. The woman gave me a look that was in between a smile covering her thought of "CRAAAAZZZYYY" and a horrified gleam in her eyes. Needless to say, I'm finding it difficult to work this introduction thing and I'm only a week or so into the project.

I still need to find another person. I'm looking forward to my improv class next Saturday, which will hopefully bring a bunch of introductions.

Failure on the 7th

I went straight home after work to spend some time with a friend who is in from out of town. Today I will accomplish two to make up for it.

Hawk

I went to the Farmer's Market with my roommate's girlfriend, Ariel, after I finished work. I knew I wanted mozzarella cheese so I went up to the cheese guy. There was a short line in front of me. When the woman in front of me went, she spent some time talking to the cheese guy. While eavesdropping, I figured out his name was Hawk.

I introduced myself after the woman in front of me left. I was awkward as he seemed like he was probably popular in high school and sometimes I'm still awkward around the guys I think were popular in high school. The nerd in me will probably never die. I used his name as a gateway into the conversation and introduced myself immediately. Hawk is his middle name but he generally goes by it. I made a comment about his parents being laid back. He said they were different than most parents. I said that I was meaning that they probably sounded like hippies. I got my cheese and said, "Bye, Hawk" in the most awkward way that his name could possibly be said.

I realize I'm introducing myself to people who are somewhat required to listen to me yammer. It's harder to branch out with strangers unless it's in the service environment.

New Security Guard

I was searching for a parking spot after lunch. Every day it's the same damn thing. I can park in the morning but when I come back from eating lunch all of the parking spots are gone. Boo on that.

So, I turned around to park in my neighborhood and walk. Meanwhile, I was thinking about who my next target could be for my introduction. Sadly, I have not spoken to a lot of people on my floor at work so a great many of them could be targets. However, that would be awkward as I have been working in my office since April of last year.

I entered the building and a new face behind the security desk greeted me, asking to see my badge. Perfect. A moment that would normally be obnoxious as I'm returning from lunch was saved as it helped me complete my task. She had never seen me in the building because she was new. I showed her my badge and introduced myself. She did not tell me her name but let me get back to work.

A simple mission but one that was accomplished.

RDU and ATL

Today I introduced myself to two people in different airports. The first was a woman whose flight was canceled from Fayetteville who was traveling to San Antonio via Atlanta. Her shoes looked like slippers so I asked her if they were slippers. They were, which is awesome. Later in our conversation (which was quite lengthy for strangers), she asked if it looked strange that she was wearing slippers. I told her they looked like clogs from far away and that most people would be jealous that they weren't wearing slippers. I certainly was. I always wear my biggest shoes so I don't have to pack them. I was wearing hiking boots. They may have been better for the long haul.

Her name was Linda. I didn't introduce myself to the very end of the conversation as I was boarding ahead of her.

The second person was a man in the Atlanta airport. He helped me into a seat in the waiting area by grabbing my bag from me and putting it down so I could squeeze through to sit next to him. We talked about flying standby and having relatives who worked for Delta. He got onto the plane. I got onto a flight to Los Angeles two flights later. I introduced myself by him guessing where I was on the standby list on the screen. I told him my name was Cecile Garcia. Of course, this statement brought about the question of why I am so freaking pale. He was Hispanic and was naturally curious about my last name. I explained the whole paternal passing down of the name. I felt awkward.

I usually do feel that way anyway.

Gas Station in Greenville

I walked into the gas station to pay ahead of time instead of at the pump. I greeted the cashier with "Hi. I'm CeCe. I'm not sure about my pump number." I'm not sure if she heard the introduction clearly or not but she went straight to trying to figure out my pump number.

It took less than $20 to fill my mom's Corolla's gas tank so I went back in to get my $2 and change from the cashier.

I'd rank the interaction at an "eh." Nothing horrible happened but I could have pursued the introduction more forcefully or tried someone who wasn't clearly on the job.

Shelton

I met Shelton, the owner of the Shrunken Head Boutique on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. I went in with my sister Abbie to find a shirt for a friend of mine back in Los Angeles and some workout shorts for myself. The Shrunken Head specializes in UNC gear. With my nose running from the cold wet air and my perpetual tendency to be sick, I asked the girl behind the counter for a tissue as she was pointing me to the dressing rooms. Shelton, who was standing nearby, asked me if I had sinuses. I stammered some response about yes but no, probably allergies. We started talking about a sinus infection he had just overcome and I responded with the phrase "that sucks." I backtracked as I realized I had said "that sucks" to a man well into his seventies. I soon introduced myself and, despite wearing a nametag, Shelton introduced himself and pointed me towards the dressing rooms.

I found this introduction to be a great experience because I met a Chapel Hill landmark and he shook my hand after he clearly saw me blow my nose. I bought the two I items I wanted and left the store pleased with my first attempt.

Introduction Experiment

"Hi. I'm CeCe."

For the next year, I will use some variant of those words in order to meet new people. Every day, I will introduce myself or be introduced to a complete stranger. These introductions can take place anywhere - shopping, eating, the street, a friend's party, improv class, etc.

I realize I am starting this blog on January 2. I will just have to complete it through January 2 of next year.

The goal here is to meet new people but also to create a more friendly environment in the world around me. I sometimes forget as I'm rushing through life to be kind to the people around me. I think that actually introducing myself to people may make for interesting conversations and, hopefully, a better understanding of humanity. I would like to make connections, yes, but I'd also like to see people more clearly instead of just barriers in a line or an aggravation on the other end of the phone or another face in the crowd.